One of Asia’s longest running MMA promotions hosts another show as URCC 24: Uprising happens this weekend in the Philippines. It will be headlined by a Super-Fight between Filipino star Eric Kelly (9-1) and Chinese prospect Jianbo Lu, along with two title fights.
Kelly was last seen at ONE FC 7, when he lost a championship bout to fellow Filipino star Honorio Banario. He cites multiple injuries coming into that bout, including a still damaged eye that flared up during the bout. He considers accepting that title bout as the worst decision he has made in his career, but guarantees we are set to see a much better fighter overall this weekend.
Although not known by many fans outside China, Lu is still likely provide a stiff test against the Filipino. He’s a national kickboxing champion in China, and is training out of the country’s best MMA team in Xian Sports University, a camp that has produced several stars such as Jumabieke Tuerxun and Wang Guan. He’s been working diligently on his ground game training with the likes of Vaughn Anderson and currently holds a BJJ blue belt. Sherdog has him listed at 1-0, but as with most fighters in China, his record isn’t updated and reportedly has a ledger close to 15 bouts.
Two title fights are also on the card, with Ricardo Sapno defending his featherweight belt against Reydon Romero in a rematch of their exciting 2011 bout. Romero took that contest after competing in a war against Jessie Rafols less than two weeks prior, and after a back and forth affair, he suddenly collapsed due to exhaustion after a break in the action. Sapno has been on a tear ever since he won the title, and will look to repeat against Romero, who has since changed camps and claims to be a completely different fighter.
The second title fight on the bout involves a rare high quality heavyweight bout in Asia as the mammoth Sambo-based champ in Igor Subora (4-1) looks to defend his belt and against SEA games wrestling medalist, Marcus Valda (1-0). Standing 6’3 and weighing about 250 lbs, Igor hasn’t lost since dropping his MMA debut back in 2009. Valda on the other hand, is a former URCC champion himself who relinquished his title after deciding to go on a hiatus from the sport. He also holds a BJJ brownbelt, and will look to reclaim his belt in a bout which should provide an interesting battle of styles.
Also on the card, former featherweight champ Ali Khatibi returns from a hiatus from MMA as he renews that DEFTAC vs. Submission Sports rivalry against Adrian Hillana.
The card will likely be streamed online, and you can catch it on BloodyElbow tomorrow morning. Check out the full line up below:
URCC 24: Uprising
November 30, 2013 — PhilippinesEric Kelly vs. JianBo Lu [FW Super Fight]
Igor Subora vs. Marcus Valda [HW Title]
Ricardo Sapno vs. Reydon Romero [FW Title]
Adrian Hillana vs. Ali Khatibi
Roy Doliguez vs. Franklin Donglay
Lito Adiwang vs. MJ Abrillo
Andrew Benibe vs. Onyok Transmonte
Meshaal Al Khuzeen vs. Melchor Cases
Lino Tagacay vs. Jay Oldo
Rocky Vergara vs. Ric Myler Empil
Follow me on twitter — @antontabuena
About the author
